Lexus currently sells its IS 300 in a single trim which is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 gas engine, the powertrain is mated to an 8-speed Sport Direct-shift automatic transmission with paddle shifters for RWD and normal 6-speed paddle-shifted automatic for the AWD system. As just mentioned, the vehicle is available in two drivetrain options and the only differences are the transmission and the drivetrain system, besides that everything from inside out remains the same. The upcoming version of the Lexus IS 300 will feature the same technology.

Which Trim should you buy?

The 2022 Lexus IS 300 offers a value for money package at $39,050. It offers standard features such as 18-inch silver-painted dual 5-spoke alloy wheels, sharp LED headlamps, top-notch cabin features with comfort and convenience. The IS 300 also offers a Lexus safety system+ with advanced safety features as standard. You have optional comfort and accessory packages as well.

2022 Lexus IS 300 Release Date

There isn’t any solid news related to the 2022 model of the Lexus IS 300 but the overall design, powertrain, transmission, and cabin styling will match the current one. Other than some minor improvements as per the customers’ feedback but according to some rumors Lexus is planning to launch the IS 500F model with a more powerful 5.0-liter V8 gas engine which seems to produce a total power of 472 hp, it might be an interesting product for the car enthusiasts.

Lexus has been offering performance and reliability altogether in a single package. With the 2022 Lexus IS 300, you'll get a 2.0L Turbo 4 cylinder under the hood. The 241hp motor powers either the rear wheels to give you a thrilling acceleration. It outputs an impressive torque of 258lb-ft. It is mated to a sleek 8-Speed automatic transmission. The ones who prefer more power should go for the 3.5L V6 engine. This one outputs 260 horses at 6,000 rpm where the torque output is 236-pound feet. 

The V6 has much better acceleration than the Inline-4 gets a sportier 6-Speed automatic transmission with selectable driving modes. You have the choice of paddle shifters for a complete sports sedan experience. The IS 300 RWD accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in 6.0 seconds and takes 14.5 seconds for a quarter-mile run. The 260 hp V6 revs higher and it helps reach 60MPH in 5.7 seconds and nails the quarter-mile in mere 14.2 seconds. With a top speed of 143 MPH, it is an exciting machine.

The Lexus IS 300 is one of the cheapest luxury sports sedans you can have. It might not be the most powerful sedan, still it gives close competition to the German brands when equipped with the V6. Among them, the BMW 330i is the fastest sedan. The IS 300 RWD barely manages to outperform the Volvo S60. All the sedans offer an 8-Speed automatic transmission as standard where the IS 300 AWD shifts to a 6-Speed transmission with the V6 and the C Class relies on the 9GTronic transmission. In terms of torque, again the BMW 3 Series and C-Class take the top spot. 

In the luxury sports sedan segment, performance and efficiency go hand-in-hand. With a decent amount of power, a car is expected to deliver certain mileage as well. The 2022 Lexus IS 300 will offer 21 MPG for city driving and 31 MPG if you take it on the open road. A combined 25 MPG ain't that bad for a hefty Lexus sedan. The enthusiasts who choose the V6 for its acceleration and superb exhaust note will get a comparatively lower economy as it comes with an AWD system as well. You have to settle with just 19 MPG in the city, a mere 26 MPG on the highway, and a combined 22 MPG. Still, the IS 300 has a maximum range of 539.4 miles thanks to its large 17.4-gallon fuel tank.

As compared with the rivals, the 2022 Lexus IS 300 is least likely to last on the road with a full tank. BMW despite its roaring acceleration can offer a best-in-class economy. Both Mercedes C Class and the Volvo S60 offer a similar economy. It gets worse with the V6 engine. That's why Lexus offers a 17.4-gallon fuel capacity which helps it to compete with the S60 in terms of driving range.

With amazing quality and design, the 2022 Lexus IS 300 looks pretty much unchanged. You have a stylish cabin layout in front of view with sporty accents and impressive outward visibility. At the front, the cabin seems quite spacious. With top-mounted infotainment, a clock at the center, and lots of controls around the driver's seat, the IS 300 has a dynamic instrument cluster. We have a leather-wrapped steering wheel along with the paddle shifters. An eye-catching dash layout is glazed with metal-look accents around the AC vents.

The seats are wrapped in soft NuLuxe leather upholstery. You have bucket seats at the front with an 8-way power driver and passenger adjustments. The heating function and lumbar support are optional. The rear is occupied by a cramped bench seat that is not suitable for tall guys. The Lexus IS 300 is very well equipped when it comes to creature comforts. To make the cabin convenient, you have dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, ambient lighting, and a power moonroof.

The Lexus IS 300 ain't the most practical luxury sedan in the segment. It does offer a spacious front row with best-in-class legroom and comfort levels. However, Lexus ruins the comfort with its cramped rear bench seat. The trunk is only good enough for 10.8 cubic feet of space. The rivals ensure proper seating space at the rear and even offer better cargo capacity. If we get better customization options, the IS 300 may look much better. Yet you cannot question the quality and design of Lexus. Standout interior features in the 2022 Lexus IS 300 are:

• NuLuxe leather upholstery
• Leather heated steering wheel
• 8-way power-adjustable front bucket seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Smart access with push-button start/stop
• Illuminated entry system
• Heated and ventilated front seats (optional)
• 60/40 Split fold-down rear seats

How intuitive is the infotainment system?

The 2022 Lexus IS 300 won't disappoint you in terms of infotainment. We have the latest Lexus multimedia system that now packs features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With that, the 8.0-inch HD touchscreen connects you with an HD radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth handsfree link. 

The infotainment is easy to operate via voice command, touch control, or knob controls. For music and audio, the infotainment gets a Pioneer premium sound system with 10 speakers and a 293W amplifier. The WiFi hotspot and the Enform satellite navigation can be added to the deal with the optional packages. Standout infotainment features in the 2022 Lexus IS 300 are:

• Lexus multimedia system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM satellite radio and HD radio
• Pioneer premium sound system
• 4G WiFi hotspot
• Enform satellite navigation

The all-new Lexus IS 300 is all about the design. In its segment, it is one the stylish and the sharpest looking sports sedan. Lexus has made sure that it looks nothing less than the German rivals. That's why we get a detailed exterior design with premium exterior colors, chrome, and sporty black accents. The aggressive front fascia is a result of Lexus' new design philosophy. With sloping hood lines and slim LED headlamps, we have a blacked-out signature grille with chrome highlights. 

The redesigned front bumper gives it aerodynamic touch. 2022 IS 300 offers sporty body lines, however, it looks simpler than the IS 350 Sport. And what makes the rear attractive is the stylish full-length LED tail lamp. Above that, we have a lip spoiler on the trunk. Moreover, you have huge dual chrome tip exhausts on either side. If we talk about the wheels, we have 18-inch dual 5-spoke silver-painted aluminum wheels where the 19-inch ones are optional.

As the curb weight of the Mercedes-Benz C Class is not mentioned, the Volvo S60 and Lexus IS300 are the heaviest ones with the curb weight of 3724 and 3715 pounds respectively. Lexus is the shortest one in the length and the wheelbase amongst the rivals which grants it the ability to turn better on sharp turns whereas the Volvo S60 is the complete opposite of the Lexus with the longest wheelbase and length but at least it has a decent ground clearance. The ground clearance of Lexus IS300 is the lowest on the list but it’s good enough to glide over some rough patches on the roads. Standout exterior features in the 2022 Lexus IS 300 are:

• Chrome exterior accents
• Sand clock signature grille
• Automatic LED headlamps
• Full length LED tail lamp
• Body-colored lip spoiler
• 18-inch dual 5-spoke silver-painted alloys
• Rain sensing wipers
• Power-adjustable ORVMs
• Keyless entry
• LED taillights

When Lexus IS 300 adopted the Toyota N platform, it became more capable and durable. It now offers a rigid structure with better balance and agility on the road. The high-strength steel comprises the frame and pillars to keep the cabin safe. 2021 IS 300 scored 5 out of 5 stars in the NHTSA tests and also received the Top safety pick+ award from IIHS for its structural integrity and safety features. It is expected to be the same for 2022 MY.

For 2022, the Lexus IS 300 offers advanced safety with Lexus safety system+ 2.0. With that, you have front collision mitigation, driver monitoring alert, and a pre-collision system with a rear cross-traffic alert. To avoid a collision, you also have a lane departure warning with a steering assist, a blind-spot monitor, and a rearview camera. Standout safety features in the 2022 Lexus IS 300 are:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Forward collision warning with Pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Road sign recognition
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Hands-free park assist
• Surround-view parking camera system

2022 Lexus IS 300 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C Class

The Mercedes-Benz C Class is the most popular entry-level luxury sedan. It is the first choice of the customer for its luxury features, performance, and design. On the other hand, there's Lexus IS 300 which offers a similar package but with better reliability and safety. With its multiple engine options, the IS 300 gives tough competition to the Merc. Still, Mercedes has no match when it comes to comfort levels.

2022 Lexus IS 300 vs 2022 BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series is one of the fastest luxury sedans with its stock engine. With its unmistakable performance and a long list of standard features, the IS 300 tries hard to match the level to BMW but couldn't as the Germans are hard to crack. What makes the 330i even better is its fuel economy and practical cabin space. If you are in for a long haul, then you can settle with low maintenance IS 300.

2022 Lexus IS 300 vs 2022 Volvo S60

The Volvo S60 offers the toughest build quality and advanced safety features. With time, Volvo has learned about dynamics and performance. Now we have a more capable S60 among us. When it stands beside the IS 300, the S60 loses its charm. The IS 300 ain't no noob when it comes to safety and quality. Also, the Lexus IS 300 is way better than the Volvo S60 with its acceleration and handling.

The IS Series is more popular for its superb engines and reliability. Lexus IS 300 is the top choice for enthusiasts who want a low-budget luxury sport sedan with the reliability of Toyota. Owning the new Lexus IS 300 is still cheaper than the rivals. With its luxury cabin and distinct styling, 2022 IS 300 offers decent performance, sporty handling, and a safety package you can depend upon. The core beliefs of the 2022 Lexus IS 300 will be based on the 2021 manufacturing unit but Lexus might improve some bits of the vehicle according to the customer’s feedback, other than that vehicle will remain even.